Nine years ago, we had the most magical moment ever. We started this amazing journey together called "Our Life."
Our eyes were bright with youth and excitement. We were not aware yet of the hard times we would have to endure together. But, we also couldn't have believed how great our life is today if someone showed us a crystal ball nine years ago.
I am so lucky to be holding hands with you as we continue this walk together. You are my love, my sunshine, my happiness. You are my strength and my motivation to be a better person. You have treated me with kindness and respect every day that we have known each other. You make me laugh when I need to laugh, and you hold me when I need to cry. I am so lucky that you chose me to be your wife!
Life has been crazy this week! The only time I sit still is when I am feeding Sara.
We have all been exercising in the mornings. Tyler has been walking with me, we prod Shanna along, and Kaci sits most of the time in the stroller with Sara. (Unless she is riding her bike, and then watch out! Speed Demon on training wheels who is easily distracted!) I went for a bike ride for the first time today since having Sara. It felt great! I hope to have my body back to normal soon. It's amazing all the changes you go through being pregnant, having a baby and recovering. I'm ready to just be "me" again.
The girls are having a blast with their swimming lessons. Both are doing knee dives and retrieving toys off the bottom of the pool. Shanna feels that she is in a baby class, but she is learning fundamentals that she's never mastered. Kaci is the youngest in her class and has no fear of anything. She has never had lessons before so they are good for her.
Sara is 8 weeks old today! I can't believe how time flies when you are having fun! (Or you're so busy the days run together!) She is so sweet. I'm still figuring out the learning curve of all the baby gear... you know, making sure I have binkies and blankets with us... oh and diapers. (She had to be a "free baby" on the way home after a huge mess while we were running errands.)
Work sucks There are family health problems The economy is in crisis Gas prices are high I worry about how I am raising my children
But then I see the good in this world I trust the the innocence of my children I look at the simplicity of the sun raising every single day. I know that this life was made for me I love my girls I love my husband I do my best to make myself happy and them too... What else can I ask for? I am blessed.
Here are a few pictures from our camping trip by Panguitch Lake. Shanna was too busy visiting the other campsite to get a picture of her during the day! The girls were funny and obviously out of their "norm." Kaci wanted to know why we didn't buy a tent that had a potty in it. (Not a porta-potty, a full bathroom) and Shanna was shocked that she didn't have to take a shower before bed! Kaci also looked at me with surprised eyes when I told her to brush her teeth by the picnic table and to spit her toothpaste out by the tree!
I made tin-foil dinners and cherry cobbler in my new (thanks Robyn!) dutch oven. I didn't do too bad for a newby! Robyn and Brian made great breakfast the next morning. I figured a grandma quilt would be enough blankets for us, but we froze at night, which was a different experience from the 110* heat we have had here! Sara did so well the whole trip, she was held and loved the whole time! It was so peaceful and relaxing. We will definately do it again soon.
Tyler took his bike, and had an early morning ride.
Kaci and Haylee cooking their dinner
It took a while to calm them down, but they finally fell asleep!
We just got back from a camping trip! Yes, you are at the right blog, and yes you heard me right! I went camping!
The last time we went camping, Shanna was about 2. So, it was Kaci and Sara's first camping experience. We went with my good friend Robyn and her family, and we had a blast!
Anyways, I will post some pictures and thoughts about it this weekend, but for now, this sleepyhead is going to bed!
They all smell nice, they all look so peaceful sleeping. How lucky am I to be their Mommy. I love each one of them so much my heart might just burst at the seams. From the oldest who I can't believe has grown into such a beautiful girl, to my middle one who is so sweet and happy, to my little one who just loves to cuddle with me. I am so lucky. I can't believe this is my life. I love the man who holds my hand through it all.
Are Mondays bad just because you know it's Monday? Or is it possible that the earth tilts a little off balance every time the day of the weeks starts with an "M?"
I don't know which it is, but yesterday was pretty rough. You know those 15 loads of laundry that needed folded? Now it is up to about 20. You must either think I exaggerate or that I am lazy. Come spend a day with me and then tell me what you think. So hopefully today will be better and I can get stuff done. The biggest problem yesterday was how needy everyone was. I felt like no matter what I was doing, I was neglecting something more important!
But, we did manage to fit in a bike ride/walk last night. Shanna and Tyler have been practicing riding to her school. She is doing so well. She can ride it in 7 minutes now and has fun riding! Kaci rides as fast as I race walk, so it is great for both of us.
I set up a blog for the girls to write in. They are always asking to read and write in mine, which of course I can't let them do! What would I do if I lost my outlet to vent and be honest and tell embarrassing stories about them?? So, I set up a blog just for them. Kaci wrote (dictated) in it yesterday and Shanna is working on a post too. There is a link on the sidebar to it. It'll be interesting to see what they come up with! I reminded Shanna that other people would be reading it, so she shouldn't put all of her secrets in it! (You should see what she writes about in her diary.)
I better get busy on today. Since there are two days of the week that start with a "T" that must mean the earth tilts right today... right??
1. Kaci bit a Wii game cd. It doesn't work anymore 2. Shanna had a birthday party at a hair and nail place. She came home looking so cute! 3. Tyler took Kaci to get her nails done and then took her to buy shoes. He is the sweetest Daddy ever! 4. I have at least 15 loads of laundry to fold. I am about ready to hire a maid. 5. Sara slept through the night for the past 3 days. It is so nice to sleep again! 6. Sara turned purple crying in the car for the first time... we thought we wouldn't have to experience that this time 7. We have had stormy weather all weekend and are loving it 8. Tyler went mountain biking on Saturday and had a great time 9. It was 10:30 before Shanna and Kaci went to bed last night and we SWEAR never to let them stay up that late again! 10. We are talking about ideas for our anniversary next week... any suggestions?
Ironically we got the DVD from Kaci's dance recital today. I say that because it took me ALLDAY to figure out how to edit and upload the video from Sara's birth. This is the cutest dance recital ever. If you can't tell, Kaci is second to the last on the right side. (The curly blonde hair that most days should be "strawberry" colored!)
Tyler and I were up early feeding Sara and realized that 6 weeks ago, she was born! It seems like she has been part of our family forever.
I haven't gone into too many details about the day she was born yet, so I thought I would share some today.
The girls wanted us to wake them up before we left for the hospital. Shanna was in a deep sleep, and wasn't waking up. Kaci was sleeping uncovered and when I covered her and kissed her, she woke up in a panic. She usually wakes up so happy, but that morning she clung to me and we had our first clue that this whole new adventure wasn't always going to work out how we thought it would. After a lot of talking, making cocoa, turning on cartoons and two really wonderful grandmas, I was able to give her my special bracelet to hold for the day and after giving Shanna a kiss, we left for the hospital.
We got to the hospital, and was ushered into a very familiar room. (I had been there three times in the past couple of months) Things this time went quickly and smooth. Before long, the grandparents and our girls came to see me before I went into surgery. This time it was Shanna who clung to me. She had a hard time seeing me in the hospital. I hugged and kissed them and then Tyler and I walked down the long hallway to the operating room. He had to stay outside while they got me prepped. They started doing my spinal, which is the WORST thing ever. This one hurt so much more than when I had Kaci, and seeing the swelling I had for weeks after, I think maybe it didn't go in quite right.
Once they had started doing the c-section, they brought Tyler in. He held my hand and we looked at each other with nervous and anxious eyes. The c-section itself had a few scary moments, once my blood pressure was really low and I felt so sick. The scariest part was when my pulse dropped. I could hear the beeping slowing down, and I felt like I was being strangled. It was the worst feeling, but luckily they were attentive to what was happening and a few shots in the IV later, I was back to normal. All of this was worth the special moment of meeting my beautiful daughter. Saying "meeting her" is the wrong way to describe it though, because I really felt like I already knew her.
The next few days we experienced just about every emotion possible. We felt our hearts grow to fit all of this new love into them. Our family is settling into our new routine and Sara has blessed all of our lives forever...
1. I apologize that you had to be in the store with me today.
2. I apologize for the nightmares you will probably have of hearing me say one (or more) of the following:
Kaci, COME HERE
No. We're not buying that today
Shanna, I said No
Don't ask me for anything else
I said NO
Kaci, where are you?
Shanna, can you push the cart while I hold your sister? Put that back!
Kaci, I'm leaving.Are you coming with me?
3. Please realize that I am not brain dead. I don't usually wander the aisles of Target trying to figure out what was on my list. I was severely under the influence of an argumentative 8 year old, a tired 3 year old who wanted to see and touch everything, and a fussy newborn who needed to be fed, changed and a new binkie since she tossed hers on the floor.
4. My kids don't normally act this way
5. We won't be back again until at least next week, (trust me on that one, it might even be two weeks) so if you left the store early, you should be safe going back tomorrow.
Ps. The above applies to Walmart and Costco shoppers too, since Tyler thought he'd give me a break by taking Shanna and Kaci to run errands with him tonight.
Someday, Shanna will be a famous inventor. She loves robots, springs, screws, lawn mower parts, etc... I'm sure you can see the problem with that from my view. Did I mention the human zip line she wanted to invent last week?
Today, she wanted to build a complex domino effect contraption. We didn't have all of the parts she wanted. Our work bench will never be the same.
Then, she asked if she could build a wheelchair. Why a wheelchair? According to her, "because it would be cool to build." I told her that inventions were cool, but on an average day, she needed to keep her inventions to simple supplies that I DON'T NEED ANYMORE and NOT A BIG MESS TO CLEAN UP. Her practical answer? "I just need some wheels." When I asked where she would get some spare wheels (don't you have those just laying around available for an invention?) She said "I could take my skateboard apart."
I mentioned the first invention rule, and she asked the last time I rode on HER skateboard. (Right. 8 year olds are really smart.) I told her that the rule extended to things that I have bought and didn't want torn apart.
Then she said she said "Ok, I'll just build a wagon." (And that's more simple than building a wheelchair?)
I asked her how she would build a wagon. I cut her off after she told me she just needed two of our chairs and some red paint because wagons are red. I sent her back to the drawing board with the instructions of only using items in their original form without causing damage. She came back minutes later with her very enthusiastic side kick. Not too bad!
In search of balance for: Time for "Me" Grown up time for "Us" Kid Friendly "Family" time where my kids can be kids Time to get things done
It is hard because being a family means all of those things are usually thrown together. Yesterday we had an expedition of a Saturday. We took the girls to see a movie, went shopping at the mall, and went out for dinner. (The first time since we had Sara) As Dr. Phil says "How is that working for ya?"
- Sara is such a calm and peaceful baby.. not so much when she is over stimulated. (Which she was for most of the day.) - Dippin Dots at a movie... not a great idea. (Would you believe the 8 year old made a bigger mess than the 3 year old?) - I have decided that my aversion to shopping is a direct result of taking my kids shopping with me. I will be finding a babysitter for the next time. - Dinner out? Probably the best part of the whole day, it was nice not cleaning the kitchen!
I have decided that I have to figure out a more kid friendly life for my kids. I just can't expect them to act like little adults. So, that means better planning on activities and outings geared for them, and more grown up time to do the rest. Is this possible?
A wee bit of heaven drifted down from above A handful of happiness. A heart full of love The mystery of life So sacred and sweet The giver of joy so deep and complete Precious and priceless, so lovable too The world's sweetest miracle, baby is you ~ Helen Steiner Rice
I feel grateful today to hold this sweet baby in my arms. I am so blessed to be a Mommy again, and experience this miracle of new life. My heart is so happy when I see all 3 of my beautiful girls. I remember the longing and sadness of hoping and wishing for another baby before we had Kaci, and I feel so lucky that we have been blessed with these beautiful, healthy and smart girls.
I figured out the secret to successful Motherhood: Don't try to get anything done. Yesterday was a horrible day, I had everything planned out, starting with a walk. I did accomplish the walk, but nothing else got done after that. (Except for a whole lot of time outs!)
So, today I aspired to do nothing. Guess how good I felt when I did accomplish things? It was like bonus points! I decided that being the Mommy to three girls was enough on my plate, and as I let everything else slide, somehow I found the time to get most of it done. I didn't have the mental list ticking in my head of what had to get done. I think I actually accomplished more than I did yesterday.
It's like the saying goes about how to eat an elephant: One bite at a time.
I was so bad at taking pictures this past week. Is that what happens after your 3rd child? My dad and step-mom were here, we had a great time! They rode from Colorado on their motorcycle. I hope to be that adventurous some day! Here are a few pictures that we did take.
I was listening to the radio while doing dishes last night and heard one of my favorite songs by the Eagles. I have been thinking about it ever since.
"Take it easy, don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy. Lighten up while you still can, don't even try to understand. Just find a place to make your stand and take it easy"
3 kids + one very long Target list + 110 degrees outside... yuck
I did get the breakfast dishes done. (At 2pm)
We did eat lunch (shortly after dishes)
And then there were more dishes.
I think I will become very successful at letting things go. I will do what matters most.
Priorities
"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child."(or in my case...three)
